Wall Street Journal writer Jacob Bunge reported on Monday that, “Tyson Foods Inc. projected higher meat costs ahead, as the meat company seeks to pass along elevated prices for animal feed, increased wages and ongoing pandemic expenses to restaurants and supermarkets.”
Farm Policy News
China Seeks Policy to Stabilize Pork Production, as Chinese Soy Imports Fell in July
Late last week, Bloomberg News reported that, “China will initiate a warning guidance system for hog breeders that will encourage them to make changes to their population of sows in an attempt to maintain sustainable output of the meat.”
Recent USDA Reports Provide Perspective on the U.S. Farm Economy
Recent reports from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) regarding farmland values, cash rental rates, production expenses, and farm prices provide perspective on the current state of the U.S. farm economy.
Kansas City Fed- Strong Outlook for Farm Sector, as Business Groups Seek Restart of U.S.-China Talks
An update yesterday from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (“kcFED Ag Bulletin”) stated that, “Agricultural commodity prices surged in the second quarter amid further increases in economic activity and robust global demand.”
World Food Prices Fall in July, as the Supply Outlook for Grain Tightens in Some Regions
Reuters News reported today that, “World food prices eased for a second month in a row in July, reflecting declines for cereals, vegetable oils and dairy products, but remained up nearly a third over the past year, the United Nations food agency said on Thursday.”
U.S. Hog Producers and California Consumers, Impacted by State’s Implementation of Animal Welfare Rule
Late last week, Associated Press writer Scott McFetridge reported that, “Thanks to a reworked menu and long hours, Jeannie Kim managed to keep her San Francisco restaurant alive during the coronavirus pandemic.”
Biosecurity and Pig Health in Focus to Combat African Swine Fever
Bloomberg News reported this week that, “China is taking hog biosecurity to new levels — 13 stories in fact.”
African Swine Fever Detected in the Dominican Republic, Raising Concerns
Reuters writers Julie Ingwersen and Tom Polansek reported last week that, “The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed the deadly hog virus African swine fever in samples from pigs in the Dominican Republic, the agency said on Wednesday, fueling concerns about the disease creeping closer to the United States.”
Bout of Higher Prices for Beef, Chicken and Other Products Could Continue
Bloomberg writer Michael Hirtzer reported this week that, “A little-known market, that of young cattle, is signaling that pricey beef could be here to stay awhile.”
House Ag Committee Passes Supplemental Farm Disaster Bill
DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton reported this week that, “The House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday advanced a bill to provide as much as $8.5 billion in supplemental disaster aid for farmers and ranchers who faced disaster both in 2020 and 2021.”
Fear of New Disease Outbreaks in Pigs Linger after China Floods
Reuters writer Emily Chow reported this week that, “[Chinese producer Cheng’s] farm is one of thousands in Henan, famous for agriculture, and pork production in particular. The province was struck by heavy rains last week that sparked the worst flash flooding in centuries, catching many by surprise.”
Threat of Food Inflation Persists, as Sec. Vilsack Sees Prices Moderating
At the end of last week, Bloomberg News reported that, “Extreme weather is slamming crops across the globe, bringing with it the threat of further food inflation at a time costs are already hovering near the highest in a decade and hunger is on the rise.”
Easing Protein Demand in China Could Slow Soybean Imports
Late last week, Reuters writers Hallie Gu and Gavin Maguire reported that, “China’s soybean imports are set to slow sharply in late 2021 from a record first-half tally, confounding expectations for sustained growth from the top global buyer and denting market sentiment just as U.S. farmers look to sell their new crop.”
Kansas City Fed: Outlook for Ag Economy in 2021 Remains Strong
In an update late last week from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (“Interest Rates for Operating Loans Rise Slightly From All-Time Lows”), Nathan Kauffman and Ty Kreitman pointed out that, “Interest rates on agricultural loans made by commercial banks increased slightly for some types of lending, but remained historically low through the first half of 2021.”
Record U.S. Beef Exports Forecast for 2021- Robust Demand from China a Factor
A report last week from the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), “Banner Year for U.S. Beef Exports in 2021,” stated that, “As countries roll back COVID-19 restrictions, foreign market demand for beef is becoming a bright spot for U.S. producers.”
African Swine Fever Confirmed on German Pig Farm, While China’s Record Pork Imports Cool
Reuters News reported late last week that, “The first cases of African swine fever have been confirmed in farm pigs in Germany, the country’s federal agriculture ministry said on Friday.”
China Pork Production Balloons in Second Quarter, While Meat Inflation in the U.S. Climbs
Reuters writers Emily Chow and Dominique Patton reported this week that, “China’s second-quarter pork production surged to its highest in at least seven years, official data showed on Thursday, after producers launched thousands of new breeding farms last year to rebuild a hog herd decimated by the African swine fever.”
Federal Reserve: Observations on the Ag Economy- July 2021
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve Board released its July 2021 Beige Book update, a summary of commentary on current economic conditions by Federal Reserve District. The report included several observations pertaining to the U.S. agricultural economy.
Brazil Corn Imports Surge
Earlier this week, in its monthly Grain: World Markets and Trade report, the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) stated that, “Brazil corn imports (Oct-Sep) are forecast at 2.6 million tons for 2020/21. If realized, it would be the largest volume on record.”
By Reducing Red Tape, China Lures Small Pig Farmers Into Production
Reuters News reported this week that, “China will no longer require small pig farms to get environmental approval from the government before breeding pigs as the country seeks to rebuild its hog herd following a disease outbreak, the agriculture ministry said on Monday.”